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Ten things I learned getting into Venture Capital as a 20 year old college student! Thread 
Disclaimer: While I have no internship experience or in VC full time I have been able to immerse myself into the VC ecosystem through fellowship programs such as @DormRoomFund & @HBCUvc.
You gotta start somewhere! This is for college students who are interested in VC
You gotta start somewhere! This is for college students who are interested in VC
1)You should have an interest in technology, consumer behavior, and adding value to people
You will quickly learn Venture Capital is a team game and your reputation matters. Be nice to people
You will quickly learn Venture Capital is a team game and your reputation matters. Be nice to people
2)As a college student, you could assist entrepreneurs in your ecosystem with marketing, sales, strategy & operations, etc
You can create a spreadsheet with companies founded by students at your university. Add the company, sector, team, contact information, etc.
You can create a spreadsheet with companies founded by students at your university. Add the company, sector, team, contact information, etc.
3)This industry is tough to break into.
Start with being able to articulate why your skillset or background could be successful in venture capital
Use this when applying to fellowship programs, internships, and join startup studios if you have any in your area
Start with being able to articulate why your skillset or background could be successful in venture capital
Use this when applying to fellowship programs, internships, and join startup studios if you have any in your area
4)Don’t doubt yourself. Many still think this industry is for white males and Ivy League graduates
There are many people who do not have these backgrounds that are doing great things in venture capital right now!
There are many people who do not have these backgrounds that are doing great things in venture capital right now!
5)If you are into making money fast, this industry is not for you.
A length of a fund or an early-stage company can easily be 7-10 years. The difference in VC is you don’t inherit any money if/when the company is acquired or IPO’s
A length of a fund or an early-stage company can easily be 7-10 years. The difference in VC is you don’t inherit any money if/when the company is acquired or IPO’s
6)Nobody really knows what they are doing. I mean that nicely, nobody can predict the future, and people are often wrong.
Some of the wealthiest VC’s were right twice or three times, but they got over 100 companies wrong
Some of the wealthiest VC’s were right twice or three times, but they got over 100 companies wrong
7)Don’t beat up on yourself. I used to get down on myself when I didn’t understand terms, venture finance, etc.
Find peers and communities to learn together! GenZ VC’s on Slack is a good one!
Find peers and communities to learn together! GenZ VC’s on Slack is a good one!
8)Look up and study VC’s which backgrounds you identify with or went to your alma mater.
Guys like @TheValuesVC and @AHolidayiii for me are great because they are successful black men in VC who went to my alma mater. It helps me build the confidence I can do this!
Guys like @TheValuesVC and @AHolidayiii for me are great because they are successful black men in VC who went to my alma mater. It helps me build the confidence I can do this!
9)While GP’s and MD’s make the big time decisions still network across.
Build relationships with analysts, associates, principles, founders, and engineers!
Build relationships with analysts, associates, principles, founders, and engineers!
10)Most college students I know who have done VC fellowship programs or internships still don’t know if they want to go into venture full time after they graduate, and that’s okay
A skillset from VC will make you a better entrepreneur, consultant, educator, etc.!
A skillset from VC will make you a better entrepreneur, consultant, educator, etc.!
